Latvia Looks to Increase Defense Budget

Move Comes Amid Growing Tension in Ukraine

RIGA, Latvia—The Latvian government said on Tuesday it will fast-track measures to increase the small Baltic nation's defense budget amid growing tension in Ukraine.

Raimonds Vejonis, the nation's defense minister, said he is preparing proposals to boost military spending to 1.1% of gross domestic product in fiscal 2015, and the government is looking for ways to spend additional money on defense before that budget kicks in.